Newbie!

[Crossstitch1]

Hi all...I am newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis...though have been symptomatic for a couple of years...apart from all the aches and pains I find the fatigue is soul destroying...would really love to hear from anyone with any suggestions for managing it. Thanks in anticipation!

[Dinkie]

Hi crossstitch1 and welcome to the club nobody wants to be in. It's early days for you and you are probably still working it all out. As you probably know fibro is different for all of us and what works for one may not work for another. Yes fatigue is a killer and the art of learning to pace yourself is not easy. If you do not know the spoon theory just have a look via google as it will help you explain to people why you can't do something today which you may have been able to do yesterday! Personally my fatigue is helped by diet - no processed foods or refined sugars. I cook in batches on good days and use the freezer to store the meals for the not so good days so that I am not tempted by junk food/ processed foods. I take various supplements as I cannot cope with prescription drugs as they have too many side effects for me. Wheat bags, tens machines, hot water bottles, gentle exercise, hypnotherapy and chiropractor when I can afford it help keep me on course and working. I have however had to cut back my hours as the years have gone on but had the government not changed retirement ages I would have retired by now so I haven't done too badly on my regime. Other people will be along to give you the benefit of their advice. We are generally a happy bunch willing to offer a friendly word of advice, share tips, offer an ear when someone needs to rant and generally help out all round where we can. No question to silly - honest!

Take care

[Crossstitch1 in reply to Dinkie]

Thank you so much for your encouraging words and advice.....if things hadn't changed I would have been retiring this year as 60 on last birthday....so a few years to wait now...so as I need to keep working I am keen to make as many lifestyle updates as I can to help myself. I will be back I'm sure with many questions!

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

Hi there and welcome , I have cfs as well as the fibro , my laid up days just come from nowhere no warning really , so I tend to sleep when my body’s saying too, watch some good dramas , listen to music , play scrabble on my iPad with members of my family , chat to our friendly members as well. I ride it out and treasure the good/better days , last week was 5 fairly good ones then 2 flare days , today doing bits pieces at home with lots of warm drinks and mini rests in between. I’ll also post this link you might find helpful healthunlocked.com/fibromya... take care x

[Crossstitch1 in reply to YASMINTINA]

Thank you for your welcome and the advice...I am going to have to learn to be kind to myself I think!

[Horsesgalore]

Snap I too am newly diagnosed last year with fibro & lumbar OA. Still struggling to get things right, meds, other support like tens machine, Epsom salt baths, wheat bags etc. But you're right the fatigue is soul destroying & pacing is so hard to get right.

Well welcome & I hope you find this forum as friendly, supportive & helpful as I have.

[Crossstitch1 in reply to Horsesgalore]

Thank you...I'm so glad to have found this site with good advice and friendly people....hope you manage to get things right for yourself as well

[jimborck]

everybody is different in the disease, but all have 1 thing in common, pacing yourself, and ask for help from others if you need it, i found this hard at first, (stubborn as a mule ) but glad i did now

[Crossstitch1 in reply to jimborck]

Hmmm....yes....I am finding it a struggle...I used to be the one who jumped out of bed early morning...accomplished a lot in the day and could party into the night! Pacing is a new concept!

[Crossstitch1]

Yes...I think finding the right balance is going to be tricky!

[khaleeseebrown1]

Hi welcome , I'm also newly diagnosed it's killing me to slow down not used to giving up . I try pacing but it's hard when I need some thing done my brain says go for it lol can't move for days after . I have been doing aqua in local pool with a neighbor the women are good they help if Im not able to dress myself . Tried mindfulness that did work for a while but things went pear shaped a few weeks ago and that's stopped working . I'm booked in for cognitive behavioural therapy next month will let everyone know how and if it helps will try anything . Xxxx carol